Sheep, llamas and goats help City’s Surface Water Utility with vegetation management

Llama and goats and sheep - oh my!
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline

Don’t be surprised if you see goats, llamas, and sheep eating grass and invasive weeds in and around several City surface water facilities over the next several weeks. The City is working with an outside contractor who is responsible for the care and well-being of the animals. A shepherd will be onsite full time for larger sites and part time in fully fenced smaller areas.

This pilot project will test the feasibility and quality of using animals for vegetation management in some areas within the City. Using goats and similar animals allows for a lower environmental impact while keeping costs under control.

These are the locations to be cleared from now through October:

• 18351 10th Ave NE
• 1241 NE 170th St (adjacent)
• 401 NW 175th St (Boeing Creek Park)
• 16505 Greenwood Ave N (adjacent to Carlyle Hall Road)
• 324 N 185th St

If you have questions, concerns or feedback, please contact Senior Engineering Technician Eric Gilmore at 206-801-2454.